The Jumping Pony Inn was a bright orange building near the market. It had everything they wanted in an inn: stables, rooms, and a restaurant. Music wafted out the windows along with a lovely smell of warm spices. Through the big bay window, Ed saw the people dancing together in a brightly lit room. There was only one problem.

  “Friends can’t stay here,” Bunny insisted again, emphasizing the word here and looking distressed. She'd even forgotten to use pronouns this time.

  “Why not? It looks nice enough for a Callian Inn,” Eddy finally asked as he changed tactics. He was delighted to have a proper argument between people who weren't brainwashed, but he was also tired, thirsty, and his hand trembled slightly. Why was it that the second people were no longer under his thrawll they disagreed with him about everything. Too much more of her free will and she'd be staging an intervention because of stupid things like caring about his health. He made enough from album sales alone to cover his bi-yearly liver cleanse.

  “This Inn is for taur,” Bunny stated as if it was obvious. She pointed to the horseshoe over the door. Narrowing his eyes in confusion, Ed looked to his personal human encyclopedia.

  “Let’s pretend the culture book was over 1,000 years old and dull, so I didn’t read it,” Teddy said with a dismissive shrug. As intelligent as he was, Teddy was easily distracted by things he found interesting. The perpetually bored man didn't even feel guilty about it.

  Mouth agape, Eddy looked as if he’d been slapped, “What do you mean you didn’t read it? You had one job!”

  After a look from Ed, the blue knight unhelpfully added, “I’d ask why we don't want to stay here, but I don’t care. This is a good-sized town. We'll likely find another inn.”

  “Why have a blue knight if I have to do my own studying? You are the smart one!” complained Ed with his face in his hands.

  “I thought about reading it. It’s the thought that counts,” Teddy answered as if everything was fine. He wasn't even subtle about changing the subject with an apathetic, “I don’t give a single fig about this. Off we go then.”

  Teddy didn't go more than a couple of feet before he realized Ed and Bunny were having a staring contest and hadn't budged. He looked at the only person who had followed him. Stone shrugged. Sullenly, the pair returned to Eddy and Bunny, their argument still in progress. Despite their low volume, every word was a blade wielded in verbal battle. Teddy and Stone watched the combat for a few minutes before the white knight pushed his friend back into the fray.

  Clearly annoyed, Ed grumbled, “Well, maybe I want to know. Culture is important. It's the foundation of society. And 1000 years is barely two generations of werefolk. What's up with the taur? We don't see many of them outside of Callie, and never in the areas I'm used to. Why is that?”

  Trying for a bright smile and failing, Bunny did her best to explain what to her was a simple thing she'd never actually thought much about, “Taur are the lowest castes in Callie. The lowest caste is base-taur, the taur who are more flora, fauna, or elemental than human, like minotaurs. Then the upper taur, like fawns and satyrs.”

  “Fantastic. That explains everything except why we can’t stay here,” Teddy announced crisply, pulling out a slate and working on something. He still didn't care, but he wasn't about to let a poor explanation stand. Behind him, Stone grunted and gave him a little push between the shoulder blades. The blue knight turned partially around and mouthed, "Let me work." Appeased, the large white-haired man nodded with a little huff, like a bull held in place for a hoof trim.

  “I am a lower-prey were. It's above the taur. Werefolk shouldn't stay in places meant for taur. If Bunny and friends try to stay here, taur will be uncomfortable,” Bunny explained the basic premise carefully, “This inn is where were keep their taur while they visit this village.”

  “Their Taur? So, taur are slaves?” Eddy asked in a low, accusing voice that made Bunny feel uncomfortable. She shook her head fervently and shifted her weight uncomfortably.

  Eddy hated nothing more than those who made him choose. If he wanted to, he could change the whole culture in a week. It was a standard procedure he'd used on hundreds of cultures to align them to the closest match in the Thirteen. He'd robbed them of their choice. It may be a choice he didn't agree with, but it had been theirs before he'd stolen it. A part of him wanted to fix Callie - make it a clone of High Mountain morals and culture. It was the part of him that wanted control and power. The part of him that made the other part so ashamed, he needed to drink to ease the guilt. Who was he to dictate another person's culture and beliefs? Sure, he could fix the way Bunny thought, but what then? Why did the freedom to choose something terrible feel so important?

  “Of course not! There are no slaves in Callie! Bunny, I, doesn’t know pre-nows well. I didn't explain it right. Taur are not wise enough to own anything. So, taur work for a Were who controls all taur’s assets. Taur can request a transfer to another pack at any time. Werefolk cannot stop taur from leaving,” Bunny grumbled defensively under the pressure from Ed.

  Beside her, Teddy, with Stone looming behind him were unbothered. It was something Ed didn't understand. If Teddy explained, the girl would understand without undergoing some mild reprogramming of her fundamental beliefs. Yet, there he was, standing there useless. For his part, Stone stood there, his eyes darting between whoever was talking and Teddy. White knights may be known for their strict morals, but Stone's wit was as sharp as his mace, so Ed never blamed him for helping with arguments.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  “And you see nothing wrong with this?” Eddy pointedly questioned in an attempt to drag Teddy to his side. Blushing, Bunny got the feeling she was supposed to see something wrong with this. He remained silent, almost defiantly.

  “Taur won’t know anything because taur aren’t clever like Were. This place is for the lowest castes. Bunny may be prey, but even Bunny is above the taur,” Bunny quietly intoned, her ears backward in stubborn defiance. It was clear she was starting to get angry at the mere possibility of staying in a place she considered beneath her.

  “So, the Taur ARE slaves to the Were,” Eddy asserted with a knowing sneer.

  “No! There are no slaves in Callie. Taur can leave whenever they want. If their Alpha is cruel, they leave the herd or pack. Werefolk of standing work to attract many taur with good working conditions. Cruel pack leadership is a moral failing,” Bunny avowed, stomping her foot, “Not that higher pack leaders would allow such behavior. To be cruel to those beneath you brings shame all the way up the chain. Mino's earlier story can't be true. No ranch omega would ever let their alpha be so cruel. No regional alpha or omega would allow such things from a ranch alpha. It's preposterous! Mina wouldn't need permission; she would just leave to live on a ranch with her lover.”

  “Oh, so you’re telling me they can make a decision without werefolk input? I thought they needed permission from the werefolk because they aren't clever,” Eddy argued with disdain.

  “Clever enough to know love. Not clever enough to know what to plant and when. Bunny is not going in there. It would frighten poor Taur as if we were conducting a raid or sting operation. The rumors would be far-reaching and disastrous. We must find an appropriate inn.”

  Growing angrier by the second, Ed threw his hands up, “Who cares? How much finger-pointing would they really do if the whole system is on the up-and-up?”

  “Hush now, Ed. It’s much like how Mechmian males aren’t allowed to own property or make decisions in general,” Teddy interjected, coming to her aid. “Mechmian males are not slaves, nor are we completely stupid. One just has to do everything their overseer tells them to do or be thrown in a Mechmian insane asylum until one comes to one’s senses. It’s a simple matter of knowing one’s place in society.”

  “Wait, aren’t you a male from Mechma?” Her expressive ears slowly raising, Bunny was grateful for the assist but puzzled, “Someone as clever as Bugaboo can't own property and must follow orders?”

  “Obviously,” Teddy stated, adjusting his perpetually crooked necktie. His voice was calm as he spoke, “Despite Eddy’s assertions, I have never considered myself a slave. My dear sister takes care of me, and someday the wife dearest Shirly chooses for me will take the role as me gaurdian.”

  “How is Teddy’s sister taking care of Teddy?” Bunny asked, trying to understand. “...Sister isn't here. Is she?” Her voice became cautious as her eyes narrowed. Her blue-eyed gaze moved to Ed suspiciously, and she gave a cautious look down. She shook her head as if realizing the thought was an excessively stupid one.

  Almost gently, with the slight warmth that entered his voice when he talked about his family, Teddy explained, “My beloved sister allows me to travel and use this equipment. As kind as she is intelligent, Shirly grants me a fair allowance. She is truly the best sister one could hope for. I consider meself to be extremely lucky.”

  “Wait, why sister and not mother?” Bunny innocently asked. There was no way she could have known.

  Intense feelings gripping his insides, Ed panicked, “Let's focus on where to stay tonight. We only managed to complete one of our three objectives.” He motioned for Bunny to leave it. Ted's mother was a sensitive subject.

  “Wait a minute. Go back. What did Teddy mean when he said his sister would choose his wife for him?” Bunny inquired, perplexed. Even Taur chooses their own life-mates.

  “My darling sister arranges interviews for the husband position. Eventually, one or more lasses will want to hire me. Then, in the ways of our ancestors, a ladyship submits a marriage proposal on the lass's behalf. If it is to be taken seriously, it opens a window for alternative proposals. My dear sister will review all the marriage proposals from various suitors and select the best one for the family business in terms of network and groom's price,” Teddy stated calmly, as if this was all old news. “Then she and me future bride, will develop a marriage contract. Finally, there will be a ceremony, we'll drink a love potion, and that will be that. It's a simple, yet time-consuming process.”

  “Beginnings 34:174,” Stone chided the smaller man.

  In assumed agreement with Stone, Bunny insisted, “Stone's right. That’s ridiculous. Teddy is smart enough to own himself.”

  “No more ridiculous than the Callian caste system,” Eddy countered, smiling at Bunny like he won something.

  “I must remind ye that I do own meself. Society is structured in various ways. So long as a population is safe, well-fed, and well-kept, the style of society is acceptable. Ed, I must insist ye stop pushing the High Mountain ideals upon the rest of us. Without Mechma's manufacturing and logistics, High Mountain wouldn't be in a position of strength.”

  “This is how it is here,” Bunny grumbled, blushing with embarrassment. Then, after a deep breath, she straightened herself. She declared patriotically, "Callie produces raw materials and food. We are the best at weather manipulation and long-range teleportation. High Mountain and Mechma need us more than we need them."

  “Ye can’t fix the system. No more than anyone can fix High Mountain, Mechma, Medio, or any of the others. Our cultures are all different, as long as the people live long, productive lives free from cold, hunger, disease, and in safety, who cares how it is accomplished?” Teddy agreed without a hint of emotion. “Enough of this. Let us move onward. If you see fit, you may leave me here. Shall I make animal noises? Buzz. Buzz. Buzz,” Teddy stated apathetically. Even his animal noises were crisply enunciated spoken words.

  “Those are people, Teddy-boy. Could you not be a jerk for five minutes? What do you want me to say? ‘Of course, you’re coming with us because you’re a person.’ Implying that you don’t belong with the taur and confirming the division? Mocking the repressed is not cool, bro,” Eddy proclaimed, signaling Steve forward anyway.

  “You know the words that come out of your mouth never match your tone. Bunny can’t tell if you're joking or not,” Bunny commented as Teddy moved the steelhead in front of Eddy and Steve.